*Written by Liz and Michelle Molenhouse who are the "friends" in this story.* Picture a serendipitous encounter, a twist of fate that unfolded in the most unexpected of places. The date was July 1, 2016, Fourth of July weekend in Michigan. Emma was at a family tradition: Krzyzaniak Friday night dinner. Daniel was working a shift at arguably one of the best restaurants in Ypsilanti, and Emma's friends were playing (and maybe cheating) at a game of pub trivia. The friends, struggling at trivia, recruited one of the bartenders to help them, who thankfully knew a lot of trivia. The bartender was charismatic, cute, and helped them cheat, so they liked him! With their very limited knowledge of the stranger, they thought he could be a good match for their friend Emma. Being the good friends that they are, they invited Emma to come join them. After she joined them, the banter between Emma and Daniel started immediately. As trivia and the night were coming to an end and the conversation still going strong, Emma and her friends asked Daniel what he was doing for the rest of the evening. This is where the story gets a little fuzzy. One party may tell you that they were invited to meet up later, and the other might tell you they invited themselves. Either way, they exchanged numbers and the night continued onto the Main Street bars, where Emma and her friends met up with Daniel and his friends, resulting in a group of strangers bonding over laughs and brews. After that night, Emma and Daniel continued talking and eventually hanging out. As time went on they started to build a strong connection, becoming confidantes, partners in crime, and each other's greatest supporters. Eight years later, their love story, kindled over trivia and pints of beers, is as strong, fun, and adventurous as ever.

The day was shaping up to be just another Sunday doing some of Daniel & Emma’s favorite things. Long walks through the neighborhood with Willow. Spending time in their backyard on their new patio. Walking into town to sit in the sun at the nearby beer garden. However, there were a few surprises in store. Before heading out for the walk into town, Daniel finally popped the question that had been years in the making. After spending some time together in town as a newly engaged couple, they returned home to find the next surprise. Emma had always said that when they got engaged, she wanted to be able to celebrate with family, and that was waiting for them when they returned home. They were greeted by a roar of congratulations from their parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews as they walked up the driveway. The ensuing party was full of laughs, love, and sharing of wisdom. Both families enjoying each other's company all together for the first time. Eventually, nieces, nephews, and grandpas had to get home for their afternoon naps. Emma and Daniel headed out to HOMES Brewery where the next surprise awaited. Again, they were greeted by loved ones, but this time it was all their closest local friends. The day was spent doing the things that Daniel & Emma enjoy most, at the places they most enjoy, with the people they love. This day would not have been possible without the help and support of our family and friends.